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Fair Trade Day

Minute for Mission

Catherine Manzi

Courtesy of Marissa Perry Saints

“God gives me power and motivates me to be part of Dsenyo and improve my life.”—Catherine Manzi, Dsenyo partner, Malawi

Dsenyo is a fair-trade enterprise creating sustainable livelihoods for communities in Malawi. Since 2009, we have partnered directly with artisans to develop and distribute handcrafted products. In a country where 51 percent live below the national poverty line, our partnerships create much-needed employment for the most vulnerable members of society, including women, widows, refugees, and people who are HIV positive.

In October 2013, we conducted an innovative social-impact survey to better understand how our work affects the livelihoods of women. The survey gave us insight into the daily realities faced by our partners.

We learned that our economic impact has a ripple effect through families, providing women with income to purchase better food, fund children’s education, and improve their homes. Many told us that earnings from Dsenyo have even allowed them to start their own business ventures.

This survey also allowed women a safe space to have their voices heard. To hear the women openly sharing about their lives was inspiring. At Malawi’s Dzaleka refugee camp in particular, artisans were eager to participate. Sharing stories is an important part of maintaining respectful relationships.

Please pray for Dsenyo’s partner artisan groups, a total of about 85 women in Malawi.

—Marissa Perry Saints, Dsenyo founder, Malawi

Let us join in prayer for:

Let us pray

Dear Lord, thank you for the hardworking women of Malawi; for their spirit of joy and perseverance, of faith and gratitude. May we find inspiration in them. We pray that this world would be a more just and equitable place for all. Give us the courage to make changes in our own lives toward this end. Amen.